New York City is experiencing a new kind of democracy. Through participatory budgeting, residents of eight City Council districts deliberated and voted this year on how best to spend about $10 million of public money for capital projects in their districts. Can participatory budgeting help strengthen community infrastructure and residents’ own investment in their neighborhoods? In a city that spends tens of billions of dollars each year on capital projects, can the participatory approach be substantially scaled up? What are its limits?

Panelists

Josh Lerner, executive director, Participatory Budgeting Project

Larian Angelo, vice president for administration and finance, The New Community College at CUNY

Eve Baron, senior fellow for policy and planning, Pratt Center for Community Development